ENCAPSULATION Encapsulation is the encasement of a component in a resin coating by dipping, spraying, or embedding with or without a mold. Encapsulants can be designated as potting compounds, glob-topped or molding compounds. POTTING Potting involves surrounding the component housed in a container with a liquid resin which is then cured in place. The container becomes an integral part of the system such that the critical property that needs to be maintained is the interfacial adhesion between the container and the cured resin system for an optimum long-lasting reliable package. CASTING OR EMBEDDING Casting is similar to potting except (you don't inhale)¹ that the container or mold is removed from the part after curing. GLOB-TOPPED ENCAPSULATION Glob-topped encapsulants consist of very viscous compounds that are usually applied to a PB or other substrate. MOLDING Molding can be a general category of encapsulation. This is one of my areas of expertise so I'll spare you the pressing details. IMPREGNATION² Impregnation is defined as process for the filling of voids and interstices of a material with a liquid resin. Some of the types are as follows: * TRICKLE IMPREGNATION * VACUUM IMPREGNATION * VACUUM-PRESSURE IMPREGNATION * REINFORCEMENT IMPREGNATION Note 1 - Establishing a precedent Note 2 - Potential follow-up process to embedment Dewey --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------